New Spiel on the Walt Disney World Railroad

WDWNT Author on December 24, 2010

With all of the changes coming to the Magic Kingdom in the coming months and years, it was only a matter of time before the recorded spiels on the Walt Disney World Railroad had to be changed. Well, they were changed on Thursday. There is a new voice and narration on the trains for the first time since the opening of Toontown Fair in 1996. The new spiels include the addition of Jack Sparrow to Pirates of the Caribbean (Just to give you an idea how long it has been since this has been changed) and mentions of all the new attractions coming as part of the Fantasyland Forest Expansion. The spiels also include Mickey’s Toontown Fair despite it closing in February, so expect to see the narration change frequently.  Banks Lee was there to capture the new spiels as well as a ride on the Railroad in video, so enjoy:

A World of Ways to Ring in 2011

WDWNT Author on December 24, 2010

A visit to Walt Disney World is always the best way to ring in the New Year, and this year it is certainly no different. The parks are pulling out all the stops as far as live entertainment, so even if you’re stuck in a giant crowd of people, you can fill your day with something other than long attraction wait times. Here’s the line-up:

Magic Kingdom

  • “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” Street Party at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 5:15 p.m.
  • “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at 12 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
  • “Main Street Electrical Parade” at 7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
  • “Holiday Wishes” fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
  • “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m.
  • Park Hours: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

While not listed by Disney, don’t miss the Celebrate the Season castle stage show, and the Club 626 Dance Party & Totally Tomorrowland Christmas in Tomorrowland.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • “Block Party Bash” parade at 3 p.m.
  • “Fantasmic!” nighttime extravaganza at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
  • Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat at 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.
  • “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks starring “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” at 11:55 p.m.
  • Park hours: 8 a.m.-12 a.m.

Epcot

  • Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at 7:30 & 11:40 p.m.
  • Park hours: 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” at 3:45 p.m.
  • Park Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon

  • Electrical Water Pageant at 10:25 p.m.

At Downtown Disney and Disney’s BoardWalk

Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney

  • 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances of La Nouba
  • Special New Year’s Eve champagne toasts
  • Guests will receive a limited-edition La Nouba pin created for the New Year’s Eve event
  • More info: 407/939-7328 or cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba

DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney

  • Ring in the New Year at DisneyQuest with favorite cyber attractions and games, a DJ Dance Party with a New Year’s Eve countdown, party favors and a coupon for a personal pizza and soda at FoodQuest
  • Party Hours: 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
  • $39 per person, advance/$45 per person, day of
  • More info: 407/934-7639 or disneyworld.com/disneyquestparty. Tickets may be purchased online or at the DisneyQuest Box Office.

Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk

  • Dance into the New Year at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk
  • Party Hours: 8 p.m.-2 a.m., ages 21+
  • $35 for access to the main floor of the Dance Hall, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight
  • $75 for a VIP ticket that adds a private upstairs area with seating; limited viewing for Epcot fireworks with guaranteed seating and coffee, tea or hot chocolate with dessert bar and a premium bar
  • More info: 407/WDW-DINE

There are also some very special dining opportunities available for New Year’s Eve:

La Hacienda de San Angel at Epcot

  • La Hacienda de San Angel is offering a special six-course prix-fixe menu and live music starting at 9 p.m.
  • $199 per person, or $225 with wine and spirits (plus tax and gratuity), $49.95 ages 3 to 9
  • Epcot admission required
  • More info: 407/842-1107 or e-mail lahaciendadesanangel@me.com

Bistro de Paris at Epcot

  • Bistro de Paris is offering a special prix-fixe New Year’s Eve menu
  • $150 per person, $225 with wine pairings with each course
  • Epcot admission required

California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

  • California Grill will host a New Year’s Eve party featuring food stations, an open bar, a casino-style game room, DJ, dancing, Disney characters, live entertainment and a great viewing location for the Magic Kingdom fireworks
  • $525 per person, all inclusive
  • More info: 407/WDW-DINE

Disney Confirms Toontown Fair Closing February 11, 2011

WDWNT Author on December 10, 2010

An important Fantasyland expansion update from the Disney Parks Blog:

As many of you know, we’re in the midst of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. In order to make way for this transformation, it’s important to let you know Mickey’s Toontown Fair will close in early February.

Mickey's Toontown Fair

That doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about some of your favorite characters. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the Disney princesses will move to Town Square in the location currently known as Town Square Exposition Hall in spring 2011. Until that location is ready, they will continue to greet guests throughout Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, Tinker Bell will relocate to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and her other fairy friends will appear later in the spring at Epcot. The Walt Disney World Railroad will stay open, but the Toontown station will remain closed during construction.

We hope you will pardon our dust as work progresses and if you’d like to experience Mickey’s Toontown Fair, you’ll have until Feb. 11 to make those plans. Remember, there are still many other entertainment experiences throughout Magic Kingdom to delight everyone in the family.

Fantasyland construction will be completed in phases with most new experiences open by 2013. This expansion is particularly exciting because it will enable us to share treasured stories with you in a whole new way. We’ll share more with you here as our work progresses.

Video from the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade Filming

WDWNT Author on December 8, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee attended all of the filming for the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade over the weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort and has videos from the festivities to share. All of these videos are embedded via our WDWNTube video site:

Don’t forget to watch the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC on December 25th. Viewers can check local broadcast times online at DisneyChristmasDayParade.com and find out more information about the parade telecast.

Book Opens On New Pooh Queue Overnight

WDWNT Author on November 23, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Construction of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Magic Kingdom

After the last guest left Magic Kingdom Park one night last week, Walt Disney Imagineers unveiled some magic. While you slept, they removed construction walls surrounding The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and gave a first look at their amazing work.

The queue and exterior façade for the classic Fantasyland attraction have been completely re-imagined. You can now enjoy a fully immersive interactive adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood that includes visits to Tigger’s Bouncy Place, Rabbit’s Garden, Eeyore’s Gloomy Place and Pooh’s Hunny Hives. Here’s a peek at the work that took place. Enjoy.